Conference of Latvian Diaspora Archives and Material Culture

The American Latvian Association in cooperation with the Immigration History Research Center (University of Minnesota) and the museum "Latvians Abroad" in Latvia cordially invites you to attend a Conference on Latvian diaspora archives and material culture. The conference will take place on April 12 - 14, 2012 at the University of Minnesota’s Anderson Library in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

WHAT? Conference of Latvian Diaspora Archives and Material Culture
WHERE? Elmer L. Andersen Library, 222 21st Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55455
WHEN? April 12 - 14, 2012

The main goals of the conference are:
1) To establish guidelines for the documentation and preservation of emigre Latvian history;
2) To provide representatives of Latvian organizations and volunteers basic training in working with print, archival materials, and artifacts of material culture (Emphasis will be placed on archival materials);
3) To create a cooperative global network for continued efforts in the documenting and preserving of the history of emigre Latvians.

Conference program participants:  National Library of Latvia, Latvian State Archive, Embassy of Latvia in the United States, Immigration History Research Center (University of Minnesota), Latvians Abroad Museum (Latvia); University of Washington; Western Michigan University; University of Wisconsin-River Falls, and Straumēni Latvian Documentation Center in the United Kingdom.
The conference is open to community and professional archivists, as well as other individuals with a committed interest in preservation and access issues for Latvian diaspora cultural materials. The languages of the conference will be English and Latvian, with summary translations provided to attendees.

Conference program:
Preliminary conference program is available here.

Registration for the conference: If you are interested in attending this conference, please fill out and submit the attached registration form. Please send the conference registration form accompanied by a check made out to “ALA” by March 24, 2012 to : American Latvian Association, Attn. Ilze Garoza, 400 Hurley Ave, Rockville, MD 20850. For additional questions and queries please contact Ilze Garoza at: ilze.garoza@alausa.org or by phone (301) 340-1914.